"Place those items here..."
"Sister Rachelle, the delivery has arrived, and I can't find Butler Yul."
"Everyone, please create some distance between the tables."
Rachelle glanced at her co-worker and let out a sigh. "It's fine. I'll go and take a look, and you stay here so you can assist the organizers if they have any requests. We can't leave them unattended because there are certain things that require permission before being moved. We're worried that something might go wrong, like breaking valuable items. Who knows how expensive that vase is? Even the accent table, made of pearl, on which the vases are placed cannot be moved by just one person."
The castle's hall had a minimalist look, but each design element was worth a fortune.
This is precisely why everyone is proceeding cautiously, and even the organizers easily succumb to panic.
Serin had already woken up from his sleep, but when he started to descend the stairs, he got startled by the sight of strangers. In fear, he quickly retreated and entered Qise's room, tears streaming down his face.
Qise who stays up late at night is still sleeping.
Observing that Qise is unable to console him, Serin wipes away his tears and climbs onto the bed, snuggling up to Qise, feeling aggrieved. The young child had woken up to find no one to attend to him, and even Butler Yul wasn't present at the door to receive him. Today felt so strange that he became scared of the unfamiliar atmosphere downstairs.
With his eyes closed, Serin fell back asleep for the second time.
When Qise eventually woke up, he stared in astonishment at the baby lying beside him. Qise felt disoriented, unable to comprehend how and when Serin had ended up in his room.
"Mmm." Serin opened his mouth. "Milk. Hungry."
Only then did Qise check the time and he jumped out of bed in surprise.
Hurriedly leaving the room, Qise angrily shouted, summoning some servants who promptly rushed upstairs upon hearing his furious voice. "What time is it? Did no one check on the young master? It's already ten o'clock, and the child still hasn't had breakfast?! The fact that the young master entered my room means he couldn't find any attendants upon waking up! What are you all doing, neglecting your duties to the master?!"
The maids immediately bowed and apologized.
The servants upstairs could hear Qise's thunderous voice, so they quickly descended and informed the head butler and Rachelle about the situation, relaying how exasperated Qise was.
"Rachelle, go and inform the servants to prepare breakfast for the baby immediately."
"B-But Butler Yul—"
Butler Yul sighed and patted Rachelle's back. "I'm fine. If Qise is upset for the sake of the young master, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to handle his reprimands again." His words made Rachelle hesitant and guilty, as the old butler had given her instructions, but she had forgotten. It was clearly her fault, causing the young master to feel wronged.
Qise is aware that today is the big day for his host so everyone is busy.
However, leaving a child unattended and hungry was unacceptable to him. What if he had woken up in the afternoon? Would his host have starved and waited until he woke up just to eat? Didn't the servants realize that having many strangers in the house could make a child feel pressured and nervous to even call out? Even if his host was demanding, screaming to gain a servant's attention was not how a master should behave.
"Qise..."
Qise clenched his jaw when Butler Yul appeared.
"Qise, it's my fault for overlooking the young master. The delivery and the arrival of the organizers coincided, so I sought the assistance of the maids. Everyone was simply busy and excited about the young master's big day, so—"
Qise massaged his forehead.
"Grandpa Yul, I understand it's the most important day for Serin, but it's still not right."
Butler Yul sighed. "I understand that I made a mistake; don't blame others—"
"Grandpa Yul, you're old and have many responsibilities. Especially during events like this in the castle, you act as the authority figure in place of the owner. Some servants should automatically be responsible for looking after the master in such situations. I won't blame you for this because I hired you to manage the affairs of the castle, and attending to the young master is just an additional duty. I won't pursue this matter now since everyone is using the remaining time effectively, but I will deduct points from everyone's record as a warning."
Butler Yul and the present servants bowed their heads.
"Yes, we apologize, Master Qise."
Qise waved his hand. "Go back to what you were doing. I'll take care of the young master."
The maids promptly left, and only Butler Yul remained.
"Qise, go and take a shower. I'll wake up the young master."
"It's alright, Grandpa Yul. Please take the young master for breakfast, and I'll look for him after I bathe. Some guests might arrive earlier than expected, so I'll ask Grandpa Yul to welcome them and have them wait in the lounge if the hall's decorations are not yet complete to avoid any accidents."
"Very well, I'll do that."
Qise and Butler Yul entered the room. Seeing Serin's peaceful sleeping face, both of them softened, and Qise couldn't resist pinching his host's cheek before rushing into the bathroom, leaving Butler Yul speechless. Observing the frowning young master slowly waking up, Butler Yul immediately began to console him.
"Grandpa Butler?"
"Good, little master. Grandpa is sorry for not waiting outside your door."
Serin yawned and hugged his grandpa butler's neck as he was carried. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm not angry, b-but my stomach feels like there are monsters in it, and the baby fell asleep again."
"Oh, my poor little master."
Butler Yul hurriedly went downstairs and entered the dining room.
In the hall, some people couldn't help but glance at the baby being carried by the head butler and silently marvel at how adorable he was. It was apparent to them, upon seeing the baby, that he was the birthday boy, the little prince of the magnificent castle.
During the meal, the baby wasn't placed in a highchair but instead sat on his grandpa butler's lap while being fed. Serin had just woken up, so his head would occasionally bob, causing the spoon to accidentally touch his cheeks and leaving some food stuck to them. Butler Yul couldn't help but laugh and wipe the food from the little baby's cheek before offering another spoonful.
"Grandpa, am I late for school?"
"Little master, your entire class was granted two days of absence without any effect on your records, as the school's headmaster and your teacher were invited."
Serin tilted his head. "Grandpa, I don't understand."
"Well, Grandpa means that today is the baby's special day, so you don't need to attend school."
Serin clapped his hands joyfully and exclaimed, "Grandpa, is it my birthday today?!"
Butler Yul gently brushed Serin's hair with his fingers and replied, "Yes, little master, it's your birthday. It's a big day for you, and everyone will come here to play with you. Later, you'll have a big cake, and your friends and classmates will give you gifts as well."
Serin lets out a sound of awe.
When Qise came downstairs, Serin had already finished his meal and was eager to explore.
"Wow!"
Serin ran into the hall, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
The organizers working in the hall became tense as they watched the little prince of the castle roam around. They moved with great care, afraid of accidentally harming the precious child.
"Sister..." Serin tugs at the clothes of the woman in a black suit.
The event manager crouches down and smiles brightly, saying, "Little prince, do you need something from sister?" as she pats Serin's head. The little baby, with wide and clear eyes, gazes in amazement at the lovely woman in front of him and shyly speaks with a flushed face, "I-It's my birthday today, but I don't see my big cake. Sister Rachelle told me I would have a big cake, but where is it?"
"Oh, my~" The event manager covers her mouth, finding him incredibly cute.
"Little Prince, don't worry. The brothers and sisters who work with Auntie will bring your cake later and prepare delicious food for you."
"Really?!"
Serin's excitement returns, and he runs back into the dining room.
Observing his host's lively demeanor, Qise sets down his spoon and opens his arms to catch Serin as he throws himself into him. He cradles Serin in his arms and places him on his lap, asking, "Why is the little master so excited? Did the brothers and sisters outside share some good news with you?"
"Qise, I have a big cake coming later!"
Qise chuckles. "Really? That's wonderful."
Serin rests his head on Qise's chest and murmurs, "Qise, I'm so happy."
Qise stiffens, looking at his host's gentle expression. He can't help but feel a mix of emotions because the host in his memories never knew how to laugh, enjoy life, play, or express vulnerability. Qise can't help but record his host's life as a child hoping that once his host recovers his memories, he won't be like someone who was abandoned and betrayed by anyone, and look like a robot with no emotions and just move according to the task given by the system.
He doesn't want his host to be like him.
Someone who has forgotten his entire identity.
The one who possesses a special ability and no longer believes he belongs to humanity.
"Serin..."
Qise lowers his head, resting it on Serin's head as he embraces the little child.
—After breakfast, Qise takes Serin to the garden and accompanies him in play, as the hall is being decorated for the birthday party later. Qise sits at a table beneath a parasol, reading a book, while Serin sits on the grass, constructing a castle out of blocks.
To outsiders, they appear as father and son.
On the outside, Qise is regarded as Serin's guardian or relative. However, those within the castle know that Qise is, in fact, a servant, albeit a special one.
Yet, Qise seldom exercises his authority. He only does so when it concerns the young master. No one can accurately guess the true relationship between the two, as whenever they inquire with the head butler, the head butler claims not to know either. Qise simply introduces himself to the servants as the one responsible for the young master's well-being. Despite his position being equal to that of the owner, his authority differs little from that of the other servants.
Only Serin truly holds power over them.
But he is still just a child.
"Master Qise." A manservant approaches, whispering, "One of the guests, Mister Nekriel, has already arrived and wishes to see you. He is currently waiting in the lounge."
Qise is taken aback.
"No, you may escort him here."
The manservant's eyes widen, and he bows his head. "I understand. I will bring the guest now."
As the manservant re-enters the castle, several maidservants rush up to him, asking in hushed tones, "What happened? Will Mister Qise entertain him?"
The manservant leans in and whispers, "Master Qise has instructed me to escort Mister Nikriel to the garden to join him. Is that a sign?"
The maidservants squeal softly.
"What should we do? They look so good together. Even if Master Qise is a beta, I hope they end up together."
"Yes, they should be together!"
"You go and fetch the guest quickly. We'll prepare some snacks and sneak a peek." The manservant is pushed away, and he can only sigh and make his way toward the lounge, passing through the hall.
Conrad sits comfortably, flipping through magazines, when the door opens.
It's the same servant who attended to him.
"Mister Nekriel, Master Qise has instructed me to escort you to the garden."
Conrad immediately sets the magazine down and stands up.
"Let's go," he says, walking out first before inquiring to the manservant behind him, "Why is he in the garden?" His voice brims with curiosity, wondering why Qise would be outside at this hour, with the sun about to rise and release intense heat.
"Master Qise only just woke up and is watching over the young master as he plays."
"Just woke up at this hour?"
"Well, Master Qise overslept due to exhaustion from his workload last night."
Conrad furrows his brows.
How can such a thin man neglect his own well-being?
Observing Conrad's furrowed expression, the omega manservant pats his chest and secretly rejoices. Mister Nikriel seems concerned, and there appears to be a mutual attraction between him and Master Qise. Otherwise, why would he display such emotions on his face? It's confirmed! Mister Nekriel likely has a crush on Master Qise, and since Master Qise is a beta, he [Conrad] must envelop him in his own pheromones to deter others from approaching their Master Qise!
Oh gosh, what a gossip!